Misbah to play in Bangladesh Premier League

Karachi: Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq today became the latest Pakistani cricketer to join the Bangladesh Premier League bandwagon as he has signed up with Rangpur team for the tournament beginning November 22.

Misbah-ul-Haq. Pic/AFP

The 41-year-old Misbah who has been told by the PCB to continue as captain for the tour to England and not take retirement has signed on for the BPL to keep himself active in competitive cricket. Around 20 Pakistani players have confirmed participation in the BPL.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has left it to the respective departments and regions of the players to decide whether they want to release them or not for BPL since the premier first class tournament the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is also underway in the country.

Many departments have already released their players for the BPL with an official of the National Bank confirming that Kamran Akmal and Nasir Jamshed would not be playing from the next round of the domestic tournament as they were going to Bangladesh.

Misbah, meanwhile, is also trying to secure a contract for a short stint in English county cricket in May-June next year as he is yet to decide whether he wants to continue as captain and player for Pakistan or not.

"Misbah is hopeful he will get a county contract and most likely he will carry on as captain for the tour to England in July-September since he wants to go and play county cricket in a bid to prepare for the English conditions," a source close to Misbah said.

Misbah last played an international T20 in 2012 but has kept himself in the format by playing in domestic cricket and in foreign leagues.